8/12/2019 OLCN Press Release - Bill C-33 - May 26-14

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Press Release

May 26, 2014, Onion Lake Cree Nation Calls for the Protection of Inherent Jurisdiction in Education

In advance of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly, May 27, 2014, Onion Lake Cree Nation is

positioned against Bill C-33 and in support the Confederacy of Nations who will meet May 28, 2014 in Ottawa. The

Confederacy of Nations had issued a 7-point resolution on May 14, 2014 with the first point to reject Bill C-33, the

improperly named, First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act. Bill C-33 is an overt threat to Onion Lake

Peoples inherent jurisdiction to educate each successive generation.

No consent is provided to any proposed legislation that threatens the continuity of culture and language transmission

within our schools; these places that were promised to all generations of Cree peoples in 1876 by the Treaty

Commissioner on behalf of Queen Victoria for as long as the sun shines, waters flow, and grass grows, whenever we so

desire it, stated Okimaw Wallace Fox who is attending both AFN meetings this week. Onion Lake Cree Nation has its

own Education Law governing four schools serving 1500+ students; Cree is the language of instruction in one school. In

addition to K to grade 12, the Nation provides Early Childhood programs, adult, and post-secondary education to their

population of 5,500 peoples; graduation rates increased since they have taken full control of education in 1981.

Success in education for Onion Lakes children will continue with our own professionals supported by our knowledge

keepers, to take pride in their Cree identity and prepare them for further education and employment. Protecting ou

childrens education from encroachment by a Minister who thinks he knows what is best for our children is why Bill C-33

must not be passed into law, said Okimaw Fox. Every clause of the proposed Bill C-33 puts control of First Nations

education in the hands of the Minister of Indian Affairs. Teaching of language and culture take a back seat to the

teaching of Canadas official languages. Chief and Council of the reserve can administer schools but must beincorporated under federal or provincial laws and this changes the Council into a real person that can sue and be sued

as they will assume full liability since the Minister and his agents are to be indemnified from any wrong doing.

If the average Canadiandoes not see why this is offensive to us as Cree Peoples, note that a real person as a corporate

body means that our link to kise-manito is eliminated and that is NOT acceptable. Kise-manito, our Creator, placed us

here on these lands, with our own laws, languages, ways of life, governance, and peoples; there is no way that we will

break this tie and no government can interfere or infringe on our jurisdiction, stated Okimaw Fox. Inherent

responsibility to Cree peoples is the transfer of this knowledge and understanding to each successive generation

Education is a means of preparing young people not only to earn a good living but to have a good life.

Okimaw Fox concludes with this reminder, The making of Treaty in 1876, between our ancestors and the British Crown

was sealed by a sacred solemn binding trust with our Creator that we refer to as the spirit and intent of Treaty No. 6. It is

still alivewe are still sharing our lands with the Queens subjects. The Federal government, as a successor state, must

Honour the Crown and rescind Bill C-33 as it breaches Treaty provisions to education by imposing provincial and federa

law on us. We vehemently reject any and all threats to our inherent jurisdictions.

Media Inquiries, Contact: Dunlop Muskego, Acting Director of Operations, 306-344-4200